Filing cabinet support structure for sheet material



Jim. 1 968 D. J. BRUNGARDT ETAL 3,3 5

FILING CABINET SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR SHEET MATERIAL Filed May 6, 1966 I NVEN TORS DONALD J. BRUNGARDT FRANKLYN H. LONGWELL 5 I @&W; m

ATTORNEYS United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DESCLUSURE Apparatus for storage of sheet material having framework including opposing pairs of spaced, coacting, pinshaped supports from which sheets hang with at least one said pair held on the framework by encompassing surface portions against tilting movement during slidable movement toward and away from another pair of supports. One pair of supports arranged on the framework in lapping relation to the other pair. Spaced supports for sheets having flanged portions for receiving a partitioning member for holding sheets thereon. Cabinet with said supports disposed in overhanging relation therein and having access door in lower portion to provide access to its interior to remove fallen sheets.

The present invention relates to sheet support and storage and more particularly to filing cabinet support stmcture for the storage of groups of separable sheets in a flat condition.

Large sheets of material such as engineering and architectural drawings, blueprints, topographic drawings, maps and the like usually require filing and storage in a flat condition in groups or as stacks of separable sheets. One arrangement for supporting such sheets has heretofore been to hang or suspend such sheets in a depending manner in a cabinet or other type of enclosure which protects the sheets from dust particles, moisture or damage through careless contact. Support structures for hanging flat sheets in a depending condition most frequently utilize some type of backing member which is not entirely satisfactory for all applications particularly due to difliculties in selection and removal of individual sheets and to inefficient utilization of storage space.

The present invention incorporates novel support structure suitable for different types of storage areas. Such structure is particularly suitable in the concept of a storage cabinet which will protect the sheets from dust, moisture and the like. Support structure embodying the present invention is also utilized effectively in storage areas such as a vault, an enclosed room or other area where dust collection is no problem.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simple, durable and economical support structure for the storage of groups of sheets in easily separable arrangement within the storage area permitting selective insertion and withdrawal of fiat sheets as required.

Another object of this invention is to provide support structure for compact storage of sheets of drawings in groups which are disposed in a depending position within the storage area and utilize substantially all of the available storage space.

It is still another object of this invetion to provide a novel filing cabinet suitable for the storage of groups of separable sheets in a depending position in which individual sheets are easily identified and separated from the remaining sheets for withdrawal from the storage area with a minimum of wear on the sheets resulting from frequent removal and replacement.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds 3,363,954 Patented Jan. 16, 1968 and the features of novelty which characterize this inven tion will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filing cabinet embodying this invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 22 of FIG. 1 showing the slidable support of the movable frame member at each end;

FIG. 3 is a partial top plan view of one of the pinshaped members shown in FIG. 1 with a portion of the partition member fitted thereon;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a partition member attached to spaced coacting pin-shaped members for holding groups of stored sheets; and

FIG. 5 is an alternate arrangement for movably supporting the movable pin-shaped members on the frame work for removal and replacement of selected sheets.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a filing cabinet embodying this invention comprising a body ltl having opposing walls designated front and rear walls 11 and 12 and side walls 13 and 14 positioned in FIG. 1 which upstand from the bottom wall 15 resting on a supporting surface. These walls as arranged define an interior space for the protected storage of groups of separable sheets in a fiat condition and in a depending position and define a top opening 16 through which such sheets are inserted and removed as will be described more fully hereinafter.

This body it) as above described is provided with a single reinforcing framework at its top which comprises an elongated member 17 preferably of hollow continuous tubular material including a front portion 17a, a rear portion 17b and side portions and 17d which engage the upper respective interior surfaces of respective front, rear and side walls 11, 12, 13 and 14 at the top opening. Member 17 is the only reinforcement for the open topped body 10 and in addition more specifically defines the inner dimensions of the top opening 16 through which the sheets to be stored are inserted and removed. A top closure 18 (shown in FIG. 1 in a raised position) may be provided to cover the top opening 1-6 to close the body to protect the contained sheets supported within the body from dust and the like. Closure 18 may be suitably nested on the top of the body 19 or hinged along one side to permit opening and closing the top closure 18. Member 17 is supported above the bottom wall 15 by the upstanding walls 11, 12, 13 and 14 and in the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 is utilized as a portion of the stationary structure for supporting the sheets in a depending manner within the cabinet as hereinafter described.

Along the inner surface of the rear frame portion 17b there is attached a pair of horizontally extending pinshaped members 21 and 22 which extend inwardly to ward the center of the body in spaced relation to each other and adjoin opposed side walls 13 and 14, respectively. An elongated frame member 23 extends lengthwise of the front and rear frame portions 170 and 17b and transversely of the frame side portions 170 and 17d. This frame member 23 terminates at each end in hollow sleeve-like members 24 and 25 having interior surfaces which are fitted on and slidably encompass a pair of stationary rod-like tracks 26 and 27, respectively. The opposite ends of tracks 26 and 27 connect to inner surfaces of the front and rear frame portions 17a and 17b and extend along the side frame portions: 170 and 17d in spaced relation thereto so as to slidably support frame member 23 in a range of movement across the top opening toward and away from the front and rear walls 11 and 12.

Another pair of spaced pin-shaped members 28 and 29 are supported on the inner surface of the movable member 23, and are offset inwardly from oppositely disposed pin-shaped members 21 and 22 to slide with the movable frame 23 to permit insertion and removal of selected sheets.

The movable frame member 23 is shown in FIG. 1 in the sheet removal position wherein the extremities of the facing pin-shaped members are in spaced relation along the direction of movement of pin members 28 and 29, thereby permitting removal of one or a group of stored sheets as hereinafter described. The sheets stored in the above described cabinet assembly are illustrated as a group of separable sheets 31 depending from pin members 21 and 22, a group of separable sheets 32 depending from pin members 28 and 29 and a single sheet 33 positioned between the facing pin members illustrating the removal of this sheet from the cabinet through the top opening 16. Each of these sheets is provided with similarly spaced apertures at their upper ends and reference will now be made specifically to sheet 33 to describe these apertures which are arranged in a similar manner on all sheets being stored. Sheet 33 has spaced apertures 34 and 35 which fit on the extending pin members 21 and 22, respectively, and spaced apertures 36 and 37 which fit over pin members 23 and 29 to support the sheet in a depending position therefrom when the sheet is being stored.

In the cabinet shown in FIG. 1 another sheet support arrangement similar to that already described is disposed in the forward portion of the body to illustrate the use of independently accessible multiple support structure in a single box-like cabinet. The forward frame portion 17a supports pin-shaped members 41 and 42 oppositely disposed of pin-shaped members 21 and 22 which in a like manner extend inwardly of the body. Similarly, a second movable frame member 43 having sleeve-like members 45 and 46 at each end slide over track members 26 and 27, respectively, in a range of movement toward and away from forward frame portion 17a. Movable pin members 48 and 49 which are attached to the inner surface of movable member 43 are arranged in line with movable pin members 28 and 22 from a storage position in lapping relationship with members 41 and 42 as shown in FIG. 1 to a sheet removal position where the extremities of the facing pin members are in spaced relationship to permit removal of one or a plurality of sheets while the remaining sheets are supported in the same manner as has been already described with respect to the rearward support assembly.

The provision of separate intermediate frame members 23 and 43 as above described permits independent selection and removal of a single sheet or a group of sheets from either the rearward support assembly including pin-shaped members 21, 22, 28 and 29 or the for- Ward support assembly including pin-shaped members 41, 42, 48 and 49.

An alternative arrangement for multiple support structure for some applications may be provided by utilizing a single movable frame member such as frame member 23 in place of the plural frame members 23 and 43 as shown in FIG. 1. In this arrangement coacting pairs of pinshaped members are provided on opposite sides of this single movable frame member for cooperation with the forward and rearward stationary pin-shaped members on frame portions 17a and 1712, respectively. The provision of such single movable member makes selection and removal of sheets from the forward support assembly and the rearward support assembly interrelated in that movement of one coacting pair of said movable pin-shaped members to a storage position in lapping relationship with facing stationary pin-shaped members at the same time moves the opposite set of coacting movable pinshaped members to the sheet removal position with respect to its facing stationary pin-shaped members.

For other applications the number of movable frame members (illustrated in FIG. 1 as a pair 23, 43) may be increased to a selected number to provide for support of a selected number of groups of sheets on a single pair of track members 26 and 27. For example, the provision of a single additional movable frame member between frame members 23 and 24 would provide additional support for two groups of sheets between the added movable member and adjoining frame members 23 and 24 if pairs of coacting pin-shaped members were provided on both sides of each of the movable members as above described.

In a lower portion of the side wall, there is provided a door 51 hinged at its upper end by hinges 52 and 53 and having a handle 54 to provide access to the lower interior of the cabinet which is of particular importance in removal of sheets which have accidentally fallen to the bottom of the cabinet.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the detail of the sleeve member 25 is illustrated and is similar in construction to the other sleeve members shown in FIG. 1. In section, this sleeve member is circular in shape and encompasses in slide-fitting relationship the rod 2'7 illustrated as having a hollow interior. The inner surface of sleeve member 25 is provided with a bearing surface portion 25a which may be of any durable bearing material which will easily slide over the rod member 27 to permit ease in removal and replacement of the sheets. The encompassing or concentric relationship of the sleeve member 25 and rod member 27 prevents tilting of the movable pin members 21 and 22 when filled with a stack of sheets.

A preferred arrangement for the pin-shaped members is shown in FIG. 3 wherein pin-shaped member 22 is shown as including a recess 22a extending along its inner surface to form a flanged-like head at the outer end of the pin-shaped member 22. Recess 22a cooperates with a similar recess 21a on the inner surface of pin-shaped member 21 for receiving and holding in an upright position a partition member 55 (FIG. 4).

Partition member 55 includes recessed portions 55a and 55b at lower end surfaces which fit on pins 21 and 22, respectively. Partition member 55 so positioned as shown in FIG. 4 is utilized to secure the remaining stored sheets on pin supports 21 and 22 during removal of a particular sheet or group of sheets. The shaping of partition member 55 may vary but is shown in FIG. 4 to include a handle portion 56 at its top and a depending portion 57 at its bottom to provide suificient weight to maintain the member in an upright position when supported on the respective pin member. In addition to preventing stored sheets from slipping from the pin members this partition member is also suitable for marking the place of removed sheets or groups of sheets until they are returned to the cabinet.

Referring now to FIG. 5 there is shown an alternative arrangement for supporting the pin-shaped support members on a movable surface of the framework. A track and roller bearing assembly is shown which may be used in place of the rod and sleeve member assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This alternative assembly comprises a C-shaped track 61 suitable for positioning on opposite sides of the frame in place of rod 26 and rod 27. Track 61 houses a pair of roller bearings 62 and 63 having shaft portions 62a and 63a, respectively, extending through a recess 61a on the inner surface of the track.

An L-shaped frame member 65 is attached at its one arm 65a to the shafts 62a and 63a and has its transverse arm 65b supporting the pin-shaped member 66 parallel to the direction of movement generally in the same direction as described in FIGS. 1 and 2 for sliding the pinshaped member 66 toward and away from the facing pin-shaped member. This arrangement, as that in FIGS. 1 and 2, prevents tilting of the pin-shaped member 66 when loaded with a stack or group of sheets.

It is apparent from the foregoing that support structure embodying this invention which utilizes coacting pairs of facing pin-shaped members in offset relationship as above described required only a relatively short range of movement between the lapping storage position and the spaced sheet removal position to efficiently utilize the available storage space. Although support structure specifically showing a cabinet arrangement has been illustrated, it is understood that in storage areas such as a vault, an enclosed room or other area where dust or physical contact are no problem, the frame members 17 and 23 may be supported in overhanging relation above the base support such as the floor or the like.

While We have shown and described particular embodiments of this invention, it is distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but that modifications may be made within the scope of the invention and such variations as are covered by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Support structure for the storage of groups of separable sheets in a fiat condition and in a depending position comprising a four-sided framework supported in spaced overhead relation to a base and having an open space through which such sheets are inserted and removed, a first pair of spaced coacting supports having substantially horizontally extending portions secured on a stationary surface of the framework, a second pair of spaced coacting supports having substantially horizontally extending portions secured on a movable member of the framework in facing relation to the first pair, said sheets having apertures at their upper ends spaced to fit on the extending portions of said supports, the supports of one pair being in offset relation to the supports of the other pair, said framework including elongated horizontally disposed guide members adjacent two of its opposing sides, said movable member being mounted in bridging relation between said two opposing sides in freely slidable relation thereto for movement along and between said guide members, said movable and guide members having cooperative encompassing and encompassed portions arranged to prevent tilting of the movable sheet-carrying supports during said movement, the movable member having a range of movement to bring the extended ends of the supports into lapping relationship when the groups of sheets are being stored and movable in a reverse direction to a position where the extremities of the extended portions of said first and second pairs of supports are in spaced relation along the direction of movement thereby permitting removal of at least one of said sheets while the remaining sheets are supported in said depending position on the extending portions of either of said supports.

2. Support structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first pair of coacting supports are disposed at opposite sides of stationary portions of the framework in facing relation and two second pairs of coacting supports on an intermediate movable surface of the framework each in facing relation to one of said first pair of supports to provide movable plural support structure.

3. A filing cabinet comprising an upright box-like body having opposing front and rear and side walls defining an interior space for the storage of groups of separable sheets in a flat condition and in a depending position and inclusive of a top opening through which sheets are inserted and removed, support structure disposed at the top of the body inclusive of a framework having a first pair of spaced coacting supports having substantially horizontally extending portions secured on a stationary surface of the framework, a second pair of spaced coacting supports having substantially horizontally extending portions secured on a movable surface of the framework in facing relation to the first pair, said sheets having apertures at their upper ends spaced to fit on the extending portions of said supports, the supports of one pair being in offset relation to the supports of the other pair, said framework including elongated horizontally disposed guide members adjacent two of its opposing sides, said movable member being mounted in bridging relation between said two opposing sides in freely slidable relation thereto for movement along and between said guide members, said movable and guide members having cooperative encompassing and encompassed portions arranged to prevent tilting of the movable sheet-carrying supports during said movement, the movable surface having a range of movement to bring the extended ends of the supports into lapping relationship when the groups of sheets are being stored and movable in a reverse direction to a position where the extremities of the extended portions of said first and second pairs of supports are in spaced relation along the direction of movement thereby permitting removal of at least one of said sheets while the remaining sheets are supported in said depending position on the extending portions of either of said supports.

4. A filing cabinet as set forth in claim 3 wherein at least one of said Walls includes a hinged door at its lower end to provide access to the lower interior of the cabinet for removal of sheets which have fallen from one pair of said coacting supports.

5. A filing cabinet as set forth in claim 3 wherein said supports are supported at the top opening by a framework including an elongated tubular member engaging the interior surface of each of said walls at the top opening to dispose the framework in overhanging relation to the base of the body.

6. A filing cabinet as set forth in claim 3 wherein the forward and rearward portions of said body each include one of said first pair of stationary coacting supports, each of said forward and rearward support portions having a second pair of spaced coacting supports disposed on a movable surface of the framework in facing relation to define support assemblies on each side of said movable framework surface.

'7. Support structure for the storage of groups of separable sheets in a flat condition and in a depending position comprising a framework supported in spaced overhanging relation to a base support and having an open space through which such sheets are inserted and removed, a first pair of spaced coacting supports having substantially horizontally extending portions secured on a stationary surface of the framework, a second pair of spaced coacting supports having substantially horizontally extending portions secured on a movable member of the framework in facing relation to the first pair, said sheets having apertures at their upper ends spaced to fit on the extending portions of said supports, the supports of one pair being in offset relation to the supports of the other pair, the movable surface having a range of movement to bring the extended ends of the supports into lapping relationship when the groups of sheets are being stored and movable in a reverse direction to a position where the extremities of the extended portions of said first and second pairs of supports are in spaced relation along the direction of movement thereby permitting removal of at least one of said sheets while the remaining sheets are supported in said depending position on the extending portions of either of said supports, said pair of spaced supports including pin-shaped members having flanged portions for detachably securing a partitioning member for holding remaining sheets on coacting supports during said removal of said sheet.

8. Support structure for the storage of groups of separable sheets in a fiat condition and in a depending position comprising a framework supported in spaced overhanging relation to a base support and having an open space through which such sheets are inserted and re moved, a first pair of spaced coacting supports having substantially horizontally extending portions secured on a stationary surface of the framework, a second pair of spaced coacting supports having substantially horizontally extending portions secured on a movable surface of the framework in facing relation to the first pair, said sheets having apertures at their upper ends spaced to fit on the extending portions of said supports, the supports of one pair being in offset relation to the supports of the other pair, the movable surface having a range of movement to bring the extended ends of the supports into lapping relationship when the groups of sheets are being stored and movable in a reverse direction to a position where the extremities of the extended portions of said first and second pairs of supports are in spaced relation along the direction of movement thereby permitting removal of at least one of said sheets While the remaining sheets are supported in said depending position on the extending portions of either of said supports, said framework including at least one pair of rods disposed outwardly of said supports in spaced relationship and a movable member for supporting the second pair of coacting supports having tubular bearing means at each end for fitting over and slidable along said rods.

9. Support structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said guide member includes a track having a channeled portion for encompassing portions of a pair of spaced rollers arranged at said opposing sides for supporting a separate movable member for each said pair of coacting movable supports.

it}. A filing cabinet comprising an upright box-like body having opposing front and rear and side walls defining an interior space for the storage of groups of separable sheets in a flat condition and in a depending position and inclusive of a top opening through which sheets are 30 inserted and removed, support structure disposed at the top of the body inclusive of a framework having a first pair of spaced coacting supports having substantially horizontally extending portions secured on a stationary surface of the framework, a second pair of spaced coact- 20 body,

ing supports having substantially horizontally extending portions secured on a movable surface of the framework in facing relation to the first pair, said sheets having apertures at their upper ends spaced to fit on the extending portions of said supports, the supports of one pair being in offset relation to the supports of the other pair, the movable surface having a range of movement to bring the extended ends of the supports into lapping relationship when the groups of sheets are being stored and movable in a reverse direction to a position where the extremities of the extended portions of said first and second pairs of supports are in spaced relation along the direction of movement thereby permitting removal of at least one of said sheets while the remaining sheets are sup ported in said depending position on the extending portions of either of said supports, said framework including an elongated member engaging the interior surface of each of said walls at the top opening to dispose the framework in overhanging relation to the base of the said framework including a pair of spaced rod-like members secured at each end to opposite sides of the elongated member extending lengthwise of each end wall in spaced relation to the adjoining elongated member and a movable member slidably secured at each end to 25 said rod-like members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,967,079 1/1961 Parvis 312-184 FOREIGN PATENTS 903,214 8/1962 Great Britain. 1,027,347 4/1966 Great Britain.

35 CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner. 

